Novo Nordisk announces FDA approval of Victoza

Novo Nordisk’s drug Victoza (liraglutide), which is indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, has been approved for marketing by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the firm has announced.

The treatment is the first once-daily human Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue developed for the treatment of the condition.

It has now been approved by the FDA as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycaemic control in adult patients.

Additionally, it can be used as a monotherapy, as second-line treatment and in combination with common oral medications for diabetes.

Lars Rebien Sorensen, president and chief executive officer of Novo Nordisk, commented: “The ability of Victoza to substantially improve glucose control with a low risk of hypoglycaemia creates an opportunity for more patients with type 2 diabetes to achieve their individual treatment goals.”

Earlier this month, Novo Nordisk started its UK-based investigations into the effectiveness of NN9924 – a long-acting oral GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) analogue for which it has made a payment to Emisphere Technologies.